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NMIS program raised income of 31 LGUs with better abattoirs, retail meat shops

THE National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday released a study that assessed and evaluated the impact of the Meat Establishment Improvement Program (MEIP) in 31 local government unit (LGU) beneficiaries in the country. The program brought an increase in meat-retail shops and meat trading in some areas. This translated to more jobs and income within the municipalities, said the Infoshare Management Systems (IFMS)—the company commissioned by the NMIS to conduct the impact- assessment study.

Imelda Pangga, CEO of IFMS, said the study aimed to identify the MEIP’s effects on institutional development and governance, and the optimization of the meat-value chain. It also served to determine the socioeconomic benefits of the program to the participants. “Significantly, the program attained the desired impacts in terms of the promotion of meat safety at the municipal and provincial level, institutional development, wider distribution of income from livestock grower to retailers, increase in LGU income and promotion of more jobs and businesses within host municipalities,” the IFMS said.

MEIP is a joint initiative of the DA, Department of the Interior and Local Government and Department of Budget and Management. It was initially implemented in 2006 when 90 percent of abattoirs owned and operated by LGUs failed to comply with standards on design, construction and installation of equipment.

It was envisioned as an incentive for LGUs to upgrade their existing meat facilities to comply with national standards. The MEIP is a counterpart-funding grant program, with 50 percent of the slaughterhouse construction shouldered by the NMIS and 50 percent of the host LGU. Results of the study showed that since the implementation of the program, there has been a reduction of backyard slaughtering in areas where improved slaughterhouses were established. “Retailers and consumers included in the study related that with the operationalization of the new facilities, they have more assurance of better meat quality and safe meat for retail and consumption,” the IFMS said. “The MEIP has provided beneficiary LGUs with an additional source of income that can be used to fund other projects or meet financial obligations to creditors and their constituents,” the NMIS added, saying an average gross income of P1.6 million is added to the treasury annually.

An evaluation of the supply chain also revealed that stakeholders at every level—from livestock growers, traders, retailers and consumers—benefited from the program. Hog raisers were seen to have the highest net income per kilogram at P48.65. The IFMS said that as of 2013, the MEIP had provided grants to 31 LGU recipients, covering 32 slaughterhouses. The NMIS has provided P122.8 million in funds for the 32 facilities. About 28 percent of the slaughterhouses constructed are currently accredited as AA facilities, while 44 percent are locally registered meat establishments. The rest are not yet operation. Business Mirror.Agri-commodities